Vaalwater, South AfricaShambala Private Game Reserve
Shambala Private Game Reserve
Secluded bushveld outpost
Shambala Private Game Reserve Vaalwater, South Africa
Price
$$$$
Rated for
Luxe Heritage ResortOutside the door
Secluded bushveld outpost
Raised wooden boardwalks wind alongside a quiet riverbed, connecting thatched chalets across twelve thousand hectares of private Waterberg bushveld.
What it’s good at
Notable
Dedicated safari butlers, fully inclusive dining, and private chef service in the Waterberg bushveld.
Notable
Preserved historic presidential sanctuary built for Nelson Mandela, featuring his original study and teak carvings.
Notable
Guided Big Five game drives, bush walks, and sundowner cruises across twelve thousand hectares of private reserve.
What they say
Also in Condé Nast Traveler.
A river runs through the camp, with traditional Zulu style permeating—though those thatched roofs cover air-conditioned rooms in the bush.
Tucked away
A place apart: the property is the destination.
In the Waterberg mountain range, surrounded by vast bushveld hectares three hours north of Johannesburg.
The rooms
Honeycomb-shaped chalets feature indoor fireplaces, outdoor showers, and private viewing decks perched over the riverbed and surrounding bush.
The pools
Bring a swimsuit.
A curved stone plunge pool overlooks the river at Zulu Camp, and the villa adds an enclosed heated pool.
The spa
Treatments using African botanicals are given in a riverside wellness pavilion with open veranda views across the bush.
At the table
Meals range from open-air dining at The Lapa to private dinners beneath chandeliers and portraits in the villa.
How it began
Douw Steyn built the reserve in 2001 as a private retreat for Nelson Mandela, whose original study remains preserved inside.
Stay here
Shambala Private Game Reserve
Choose your dates with one of these sites to see rooms and rates.
Add dates to see the price for your stay.
Book with
Booking.com ExpediaWe may earn a commission when you book through Booking.com or Expedia. It never decides which hotels we include or how we rate them.
The app
Like this one? There are so many more.
Swipe any city’s hotels and heart the ones you love. The app gets your taste.
Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.